ODPS Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver License (CDL)

CDL Exemptions

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Fees

To obtain a CDL you will need to pay the appropriate fees.

• $10.00 for the pre-trip inspection portion of the test;
• $10.00 for the off-road maneuvering portion of the test;
• $30.00 for the on-road portion of the test.

The CDL applicant who schedules an appointment with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP), may have to pay an appointment fee of $50.00 at the time he schedules the appointment. These fees are in addition to any fees

Click HERE to view the fees for the various types of commercial driver's licenses (CDL) issued.

Procedures for Obtaining a CDL or CDL Instruction Permit

To get a CDL or CDL instruction permit (CDIP) you are required to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio State driver's license.

NOTE: Employers may impose additional standards and/or higher age requirements.

Bring the following to the licensing office: [ + ]

• Your social security card issued by the Social Security Administration. Your social security number is required for identification purposes. This is a mandatory requirement.
• A CDIP may be issued to an individual who holds a valid automobile or classified driver's license. The holder of a CDIP may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license, valid for the type of vehicle driven, who occupies a seat beside the individual, for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle.
• The CDIP is valid for six months.  A CDIP expires after six months and cannot be renewed.  A new permit must be purchased and the vision and knowledge tests must be re-taken.
• The CDIP fee is $27.00

Hazardous Materials Information

Renewal/Upgrade

When applying for a renewal or upgrade of a CDL, all applicants shall:

• Provide any updated information;
• Pass a written hazardous materials test if wishing to retain or upgrade a hazardous materials endorsement;
• Complete any additional testing requirements for an upgrade.

Individuals renewing a current Ohio driver license, Ohio commercial driver license (CDL), or Ohio identification (ID) card are no longer be required to present a Social Security card at an Ohio BMV license agency for verification at the time of renewal.

Testing

Both the knowledge (written) and skill (driving) tests are required to receive a CDL. A knowledge test is required for:

• The class of vehicle;
• Each endorsement; and
• Removing the air brake restriction.

The skill test consists of a pre-trip inspection and a road test, and takes up to 90 minutes. You will need to provide a vehicle appropriate to the class of license you apply for, including a bus (designed to carry 16 or more persons including the driver) if applying for a passenger endorsement.

After a CDL is issued, adding a passenger endorsement, upgrading a license or removing a restriction requires both knowledge and skill tests and applicable fees.

All drivers who surrender the CDL license or any endorsement will be required to pay all applicable fees and retake both the knowledge and skill tests to obtain a CDL.

Medical Waiver Procedures

All commercial drivers must meet minimum medical standards as established by federal (49 C.F.R.391) and state (Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.10) rules and regulations.

Intrastate [ + ]

• The Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) have adopted the same medical standards for all Ohio licensed drivers who operate in intrastate commerce. Both PUCO and OSHP rules and regulations authorize intrastate drivers who do not meet minimum medical standards to apply to PUCO for an intrastate medical waiver.

  The state's regulations allow the issuance of a K2 Restricted Commercial License for those who do not meet the federal highway's (49 C.F.R. 391) minimum medical standards. This restriction allows the operation of the commercial vehicle only within the State of Ohio, provided they are not regulated by PUCO or the Federal Highway Administration. All drivers that operate a commercial vehicle involved in commerce or in another regulated field must seek and receive a medical waiver from the PUCO.

  Prior to applying for a license, drivers who need an intrastate medical waiver must send the following information to: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, 180 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3793.

  • A letter of application for a waiver. The letter must be submitted jointly by the person seeking a waiver of the physical disqualification (driver applicant) and by the motor carrier that will be employing the driver applicant. If the driver is self-employed or currently unemployed, a letter from the motor carrier will not be necessary. The letter must contain the name and address of the motor carrier (employer), the name, license number and resident address of the driver, and a description of the driver applicant's impairment for which the waiver is being requested
  • A copy of the current physical examination.
  • A medical evaluation summary completed by a board qualified or board certified physician or orthopedic surgeon. The medical evaluation summary must include a statement by the physician on how and why the impairment interferes with the ability of the driver to perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle, and an assessment and medical opinion of whether the condition will likely remain medically stable for at least two years.

  Mail this information to: PUCO, 180 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793.
  Fax information to: (614) 752-8349.
  Any questions concerning an intrastate medical waiver should be directed to PUCO at 614-466-3191. Requests for intrastate medical waivers are processed promptly and mailed to the driver. After receipt of the medical waiver, application can be made for a CDL license. The medical waiver and the CDL license must be carried at all times when operating a commercial vehicle.

Interstate [ + ]

• Interstate waivers are processed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Drivers who are missing or have the impaired use of a foot, leg, hand, or arm may be eligible to apply for an interstate waiver. To apply, contact FMCSA. For additional information, contact the Columbus office of the Federal Highway Administration at 614-280-5657.

Special Requirements

• You are required to notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled or if you are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle. Do this before the end of the business day following the day you received notice of the action.
• You must notify your employer, in writing, of all traffic convictions within 30 days. This includes those in your private automobile as well as a commercial vehicle.
• You must notify the CDL/Out of State Processing Unit, in writing, of all out-of-state traffic convictions within 30 days of the conviction. Write to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 16784, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0084.

Mail information to: PUCO; 180 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793.
Fax information to: (614) 752-8349
Any questions concerning an intrastate medical waiver should be directed to PUCO at 614-466-3191.

Requests for intrastate medical waivers are processed promptly and mailed to the driver. After receipt of the medical waiver, application can be made for a CDL license. The medical waiver and the CDL license must be carried at all times when operating a commercial vehicle.

Vision Screening

• Applicant must be binocular
• Must achieve a minimum acuity of 20/40 in each eye with or without lenses
• Must have a visual field of not less than 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye

• An applicant who must meet the Federal 391 medical standards and is applying for a school bus endorsement or commercial driver license must meet the acuity, horizontal, and color test fields

Commercial Intrastate (Ohio only) Driving Privileges:
If unable to meet the above standards, an applicant for a commercial driver license may qualify for intrastate driving privileges (K2 restriction on license) if they meet normal Class D acuity and horizontal field standards.

CDL Waiver
The BMV does not offer a waiver to CDL drivers. If the driver has a K2 restriction (Ohio driving only) they must contact either PUCO or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to obtain a waiver to drive for a PUCO-regulated company in Ohio.